Everything you need to know about Colorado Form JDF 958, including helpful tips, fast facts & deadlines, how to fill it out, where to submit it and other related CO probate forms.
There are all sorts of forms executors, beneficiaries, and probate court clerks have to fill out and correspond with during probate and estate settlement, including affidavits, letters, petitions, summons, orders, and notices.
Instructions For Closing A Small Estate Informally is a commonly used form within Colorado. Here’s an overview of what the form is and means, including a breakdown of the situations when (or why) you may need to use it:
Sometimes it’s tough to find a quick summary— here’s the important details you should know about Instructions For Closing A Small Estate Informally:
This form pertains to the State of Colorado
The current version of this form was last revised on July 1, 2013
Government forms are not typically updated often, though when they are, it often happens rather quietly. While Atticus works hard to keep this information about Colorado’s Form JDF 958 - Instructions For Closing A Small Estate Informally up to date, certain details can change from time-to-time with little or no communication.
Double check that you have both the correct form name and the correct form ID. Some Colorado probate forms can look remarkably similar, so it’s best to double, even triple-check that you’re using the right one! Keep in mind that not all States have a standardized Form ID system for their probate forms.
Fill out all relevant fields in Form JDF 958, take a break, and then review. Probate and estate settlement processes in CO are long enough to begin with, and making a silly error can push your timeline even farther back. No thank you!
Note: If you don’t currently know all of the answers and are accessing Form JDF 958 online, be sure to avoid closing the browser tab and potentially losing all your progress (or use a platform like Atticus to help avoid making mistakes).
Some States and situations require particular forms to be notarized. If you have been instructed to get the document notarized or see it in writing on the document, then make sure to hire a local notary. There are max notary fees in the United States that are defined and set by local law. Take a look at our full guide to notary fees to make sure you aren’t overpaying or getting ripped off.
This is most often the local probate court where the decedent (person who passed away) is domiciled (permanently resides) or the institution involved with this particular form (e.g. a bank). Some offices allow you to submit forms online, other’s don’t, and we while we generally recommend going in-person to expedite the process, sometimes that simply isn’t an option.
It’s also a generally good idea to establish a positive working relationship with any probate clerk (unfortunately there’s enough people & process out there making things more difficult and unnecessarily confusing for them), so a best practice is to simply ask the probate clerk proactively exactly how and where they’d prefer you to submit all forms.
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Different probate forms or processes can require different deadlines or response times for completing the appropriate form.
While some steps in the process are bound to specific deadlines (like petitioning for probate, having to submit an inventory of assets, or filing applicable notices to creditors and beneficiaries), many probate forms or processes are not tied to a specific deadline since the scope of work can vary based on situational factors or requirements involved.
Either way, there are a bunch of practical reasons why personal representatives should work to complete each step as thoroughly and quickly as possible when completing probate in Colorado.
The sooner you begin, the faster Colorado can allow heirs and beneficiaries to get their share of assets subject to probate. Acting promptly can also decrease the costs & overall mental fatigue through an otherwise burdensome process.
Helpful Context: What’s the Difference Between Probate and Non-Probate Assets?
In general, creditors of an estate usually have around 3-6 months from the time you file notice to creditors to file any claims for debt against the deceased’s assets. If they don’t, then that debt is forfeited (and more importantly, the executor won’t be held personally responsible). So doing this sooner means you have a better idea of who is owed what and ensures you won’t get a surprise collector months later.
Not filing a will within 30 days (on average) could mean that the probate process proceeds according to intestate laws (laws that govern what happens to someone's stuff without a will) or is subject to unnecessary supervision by the probate court. And if you aren't directly related to the deceased (a.k.a. next of kin), this could also mean you lose your inheritance.
It’s important to file any necessary state tax returns on behalf of the deceased or estate by the following tax season in Colorado. If you don’t, you could owe penalties and interest. This also includes any necessary federal tax returns such as Forms 1040, 1041, or even a Form 706 estate tax return.
If a house in the State of Colorado is left empty (or abandoned) for a while, insurance can get dicey. For example, if the house burns down and no one has been there for a year, an insurance company may get out of paying your claim.
If you’re not using Atticus to get specific forms, deadlines, and timelines for Colorado probate, then try and stay as organized as possible, pay close attention to the dates mentioned in any correspondence you have with the State’s government officials, call the local Colorado probate clerk or court for exact answers regarding Form JDF 958, and when in doubt— consult a qualified trust & estates lawyer for that area.
Instructions For Closing A Small Estate Informally is one of the many probate court forms available for download through Atticus.
It may also be available through some Colorado probate court sites, such as . In order to access the latest version, be updated with any revisions, and get full instructions on how to complete each form, check out the Atticus Probate & Estate Settlement software or consider hiring a qualified legal expert locally within Colorado.
While Atticus automatically provides the latest forms, be sure to choose the correct version of Form JDF 958 - Instructions For Closing A Small Estate Informally f using any other site or resource in order to avoid having to re-complete the form process and/or make another trip to the Colorado probate court office.
Instructions For Closing A Small Estate Informally is a .pdf, so opening it should be as simple as clicking “View Form” from within the Atticus app or by clicking the appropriate link found on any Colorado-provided government platform. Once you’ve opened the form, you should be able to directly edit the form before saving or printing.
Form JDF 958 - Instructions For Closing A Small Estate Informally is a probate form in Colorado.
Colorado has multiple types of probate and the necessary forms depend on the unique aspects of each estate, such as type and value of assets, whether there was a valid will, who is serving as the personal representative or executor, and even whether or not they also live in Colorado.
During probate, all personal representatives and executives in are required to submit a detailed inventory of assets that must separate non-probate assets from probate assets.
Probate in Colorado, especially without guidance, can take years to finish and cost upwards of $14,000.
What is probate, exactly?
Probate is the government’s way of making sure that when a person dies, the right stuff goes to the right people (including the taxes the government wants).
All of that stuff is collectively known as someone’s “estate”, and it’s the job of the executor or personal representative to fill out all the forms and complete all the required steps to formally dissolve the estate.
To get instant clarity on the entire probate process and get an idea of the steps, timeline, and best practices, read the Atticus Beginner’s Guide to Probate.
Where can I get help with Probate?
The best place? Create an account in Atticus to start getting estate-specific advice.
You may need a lawyer, you may not, and paying for one when you didn’t need it really hurts. Atticus makes sure you make the best decisions (plus you can write it off as an executor expense).
We’ve also created a list of other probate services. Be sure to check it out!
What does a CO executor or personal representative have to do?
An executor is named in someone’s will, and if the deceased didn’t have a will, then the spouse or other close family relative usually steps up to fulfill the role. If no one wants to do it, then a judge will appoint someone.
The executor is responsible for the complete management of the probate process, including major responsibilities such as:
Creating an inventory of all probate assets.
Filling out all necessary forms
Paying off all estate debts and taxes
Submitting reports to the court and beneficiaries as requested
And much more. This process often stretches longer than a year.
For an idea of what separates executors who succeed from those who make this way harder than it should be, visit our article, Executors of an Estate:
What they do & secrets to succeeding.
Here’s the text, verbatim, that is found on Colorado Form JDF 958 - Instructions For Closing A Small Estate Informally. You can use this to get an idea of the context of the form and what type of information is needed.
JDF 958 7-13 INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLOSING A SMALL ESTATE INFORMALLY Page 1 of 2 INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLOSING A SMALL ESTATE INFORMALLY These standard instructions are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice about your case. If you choose to represent yourself, you are bound by the same rules and procedures as you would be if you were an attorney. GENERAL INFORMATION  Unless prohibited by order of the Court and except for estates being administered in supervised administration the Personal Representative may file to close an estate informally six months after appointment or one year from date of death of the decedent whichever occurs first.  The estate should have been fully administered including making payment, settlement or other disposition of claims, expenses of administration, taxes, and distribution.  Closing an estate informally does not result in court approval of the actions of the Personal Representative nor a court discharge. It is merely the statement of the Personal Representative indicating their belief that the administration is completed.  If no proceedings involving the Personal Representative are pending in the court one year after the closing statement is filed, the appointment of the Personal Representative is terminated. The Registrar takes no further action and no decree is issued.  For additional information, please review §§15-12-1008 - 1009, C.R.S.  If you have a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to access the courts, please contact your local ADA Coordinator. Contact information can be obtained from the following website: http://www.courts.state.co.us/Administration/HR/ADA/Coordinator_List.cfm COMMON TERMS  Estate: All of the property (real or personal) owned by a person on the date of death that is subject to probate.  Informal: A proceeding without a hearing by an officer of the court acting as a Probate Registrar.  Intestate: Estate in which the Decedent did not leave a Will.  Interested Persons: Persons identified by Colorado Law who must be given notice of a court proceeding. This term may include heirs, children, spouse, devisees, beneficiaries, creditors, claimants, and persons having priority to serve as Personal Representative, depending on the circumstances.  Letters: A document issued by the court, identifying the authority of a Personal Representative.  Personal Representative: A person at least 21, resident or non-resident of Colorado, who has been appointed to administer the estate of the Decedent; previously referred to as Executer/Executrix.  Small Estate: Estate with a value, less liens and encumbrances, that is not more than $60,000.00  Testate: Estate in which the Decedent left a Will. If you do not understand this information, please contact an attorney. FEES No filing fee is required. Other fees that a party to the case may encounter are:  Certification of Orders and Letters $20.00  Copy of Documents $ .75 per page JDF 958 7-13 INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLOSING A SMALL ESTATE INFORMALLY Page 2 of 2 FORMS To access a form online go to www.courts.state.co.us and click on the “Forms” tab. The packet/forms are available in PDF or WORD by selecting Probate (Decedent’s Estate – Closing a Small Estate Informally). Complete the forms online or print them and type or print legibly in black ink.  JDF 966 Statement of Personal Representative Closing Small Estate  JDF 941 Decedent’s Estate Inventory  JDF 942 Interim/Final Accounting STEPS TO CLOSING THE ESTATE Step 1: Ensure that the following documents have been completed. 1. Information of Appointment - JDF 940. You may have already completed this document with the Court, as it must be completed within 30 days from appointment. This document must be on file with the Court. 2. Decedent’s Estate Inventory - JDF 941 and Interim/Final Accounting - JDF 942 are not required to be filed with the Court. 3. Copies of the completed Decedent’s Estate Inventory MUST be sent to all Interested Persons who request it. In addition, if there are unknown intestate heirs or unknown devisees, a copy of the Decedent’s Estate Inventory - JDF 941 MUST be sent to the Attorney General pursuant to §15-12-706(3), C.R.S. Step 2: Complete Forms. Selecting these instructions indicates that you plan to informally close administration of a small estate. The caption below must be completed on all forms filed. Be sure to make a copy for your own records of all forms you file with the Court. __________________________________ County, Colorado Court Address: ▲ COURT USE ONLY ▲ In the Matter of the Estate of: Deceased Attorney or Party Without Attorney (Name and Address): Phone Number: Email: FAX Number: Atty. Reg. #: Case Number: Division: Courtroom: NAME OF FORM  Statement of Personal Representative Closing Administration (JDF 966).  This form can be completed by the Personal Representative or Successor Personal Representative.  Complete all sections on the form. Step 3: File your Papers with the Court:  Provide the Court with the completed Statement, as described in Step 2 above.  Complete the Certificate of Service portion on JDF 966 listing the names and addresses of all interested persons to whom the Statement was sent and the date sent. Step 4: The Estate is deemed closed one year after filing the Statement.
View allColorado probate forms.
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